Scottish National Party activist Graeme McCormick has made a surprising decision to pull out of the race to become the party’s new leader and has instead thrown his support behind John Swinney as Scotland’s next first minister. McCormick, who had previously claimed he could gather the necessary signatures to challenge for the leadership, announced his endorsement of Swinney after a “lengthy and fruitful conversation.”
In a statement, McCormick expressed confidence that Swinney’s determination to deliver independence would be rewarded at the upcoming general election. He emphasized that this decision marks a “fresh start” for the party and its members, signaling a new direction for the SNP.
McCormick’s supporters had argued that it would be undemocratic for Swinney to win the leadership unopposed, insisting that he should face a contest. Despite some initial criticism from Swinney’s camp, McCormick ultimately chose to throw his weight behind the former deputy first minister.
Swinney, who described himself as the candidate to unite the party after a challenging period, welcomed McCormick’s endorsement and emphasized the urgency of rebuilding public confidence in the SNP. A recent poll indicated a decline in support for the party in a Westminster election, highlighting the need for a strong and united leadership.
With Swinney now the sole official candidate for the SNP leadership, all eyes will be on the upcoming vote in Holyrood to determine Scotland’s next first minister. The party has remained tight-lipped on the matter, leaving the outcome of this pivotal decision to be revealed in the coming days.